Lewis, Eugene Ralph 1922 - 2015

LEWIS, HAUGEN, NICOLL, KAPPES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/17/2015 at 08:20:31

Eugene “Gene” Ralph Lewis age 92 of Cresco, Iowa passed away on Saturday April 11th, 2015 at the Cresco Care Center with many family members present during his final hours. Gene was born Oct. 27, 1922 on the family farm in rural Winneshiek County. He attended the rural schools of Winneshiek County then attended Cresco High School. Gene was the captain of the 1940 High School wrestling team where he advanced to the State tournament. After High School graduation he enrolled at Iowa State University studying to be a Veterinarian. He also wrestled for Iowa State, back then freshman were not allowed to wrestle on the varsity team. After his freshman year in college he was drafted and went to World War II as a private first class as an ammo handler/mechanic. He was stationed in England, Egypt, Russia and many other bases in Europe. During his service he traveled by boat from Liverpool England to Egypt then by train thru what is now Iraq and Iran to Poltava, Ukraine. His squadron consisted of B-17’s and other aircraft. This is where is love of “fixing” equipment started. He was honorably discharged in 1945. After the war he returned back to Iowa to farm with his brother. They had a very successful farming operation of crops, cattle, and hogs. He had a passion for raising and showing purebred Southdown sheep. The family started in the Southdown breed in 1938. Up to his death he still always asked about how the new lamb crop looked and wanted to know if we would have a good show flock. During the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s the sheep was shown under the Lewis & Roethlisberger flock name with his business partner Otis Roethlisberger from Elgin, Iowa. His grandson’s Austin JimBob and Gabriel Lewis now operate the flock being the 4th generation of raising and showing Southdown sheep. The flock is the 2nd oldest flock in the United States currently. On Nov. 27th, 1962 he married Geraldine Haugen of Ridgeway. One child was born from this marriage, Randy. Gene was active in the farming operation until he retired in 1992. After retiring from the farm, he was a courier for the Cresco Union Savings Bank for many years. He was a member of the Cresco United Methodist Church, American Southdown Breeders Association, served on the Winneshiek County Cattleman’s Board and was an honorary Chapter Farmer member of the Crestwood FFA. For many years he would take the family on summer trips viewing large cattle ranches from Montana to Virginia where they would buy feeder calves and bring back to feed and fatten out on their farm north of Kendalville. The past several years Gene was also “on call” as chore boy or advisor for Randy and his family with the sheep farm if they were gone showing sheep or the boy’s wresting events around the United States. He also had a large garden every year in which he took a lot of pride in. He would be seen several hours a week caring for his garden at Randy’s farm outside of Lime Springs. The last few years his specialty was baking strawberry pies, they will be missed! The past few years Gene had a special friend, Deenie Seabright, of Spring Valley, MN. They enjoyed dancing, spending time in AZ during the winter months and friendship. He was never home always traveling to a dance somewhere in Northeast Iowa or Southern Minnesota. But his work ethic and the love of life kept him young! He is survived by his son Randy (Darrelleen) Lewis of Forest City, Iowa, step-daughter Vernelle (Bill) Nicoll of Chester, step-son Maynard Haugen of Marshalltown, and grandchildren: Austin JimBob Lewis and Gabriel Lewis of Forest City, Tammie (Robbie) Kappes of Stewartville, Terry (Staci) Nicoll of Cresco and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Geraldine, his parents and brothers.

Visitation:
Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 13, at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco as well as one hour prior to services at the church.

Service:
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cresco United Methodist Church in Cresco, Iowa.

Cemetery:
Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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